Customizing a Cheap Harmonica
Hi, Kinya:
What's the cheapest harmonica worth customizing? If I were an expert harpsmith, on the level of a Kinya Pollard or a Jon Harl, could I take one of the cheapie harmonicas and make it play as good as a fully customized SP20 or Thunderbird?
When I write "cheap harp", I mean one of the many harmonicas that you can buy for under $10, or any of the harmonicas that might come with an instructional book as a bonus. Like a Hohner Blues Band.
What is it-- the reed material, the comb material-- that sets the upper level harps apart from the enthusiast models?
If your looking for something less expensive you might consider ebay.com. I've bought a Hohner Super 64 Chromatic for $80.00. The only thing wrong with was somw minor scratches and a couple of buzzing windsavers. I sent it to Steve Malerbi for customization and wound up with a professional instrument for about $200.00 less than a new one. I also did that with a Hohner 270. the only thing wrong with it was a cracked comb. It cost $9.00... off to Steve with the same results.
I'd look for Hohner Special 20 harps. They're easier to work with because of the screw construction. They have the same reeds as the Marine Band, Golden Melody. If they're newer they'll also have the same reeds as the MB Deluxe or Crossover. Thay way you'll have a good platform to do some customizing, reed replacement and cleaning.
Hi Kinya ~ I have a couple of Hohner Blues Harp harmonicas and a Marine Band that I would like to upgrade and customize. The Marine Band can be tuned and embossed easily enough, but changing the comb is more difficult because it is constructed with tiny nails rather than screws. So if I want to put on a custom comb, I have to drill out the reed plate to allow the screws to pass through. It is a bit tricky to maintain alignment when using a had drill, and I don't have a small drill press. I'm thinking that the Marine Band is just too much trouble to customize. Do you have any suggestions?
Next, the Blues Harp appears to be better constructed than the Marine Band in that it is manufactured with screws instead of nails. Thus, I could buy a custom comb that is designed for the Blues Harp specifically. Why is it that nobody talks about using or customizing the Blues Harp? When disassembled, it appears to be better constructed than the Marine Band and the reed plate is very sturdy. Can you explain why the Blues Harp doesn't get any respect?
Thanks for your thoughtful feedback on both questions.
roland
Hi Roland
Give me a little time and I will respond to both questions. Thank you!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Good afternoon Kinya ~ Not trying to be a pest, but I'm just checking in to see if you have given any thought to my questions regarding the upgrading/customization of the Hohner Blues Harp? Thanks a million.
Roland Isnor
Hi Roland, my apologies for the delay ;o(
I bought my first Hohner Blues Harp in 1973 (I still have it ;o) It was the Hohner 1896 Marine Band harmonica with “non vented” cover plates (muting the acoustic voicing of the MB). The Blues Harp is a completely different harmonica now ...
History | In an effort to control production (read: labor) costs--led by a team of consultants and accountants--Hohner developed (late 80’s~90’s I believe) the “automated” MS--Modular System harmonica assembly line.
Models selected for the MS series were: Blues Harp (wood comb), Cross Harp (ABS comb), Pro Harp (ABS comb), Meisterklasse (aluminum comb), Big River (ABS comb), MS Marine Band (ABS comb), Bob Dylan, Steven Tyler, John Lennon, Tiffany's, and many other novelty harmonicas. The dimensions of the MS Series harmonicas grew in length and width--matching those of the Lee Oskar/Tombo harmonicas. With exception to the thinner reeds found on the Big River and MS Marine Band, the reed plates for MS harmonicas were identical. The MS assembly line was not that dissimilar to the auto industry. Luxury models, for example, the original Lexus ES350 (Executive Sedan) would share the same platform as the mid priced Toyota Camry.
Observation | For the serious blues and contemporary harmonica playing community, the “hand made” Marine Band harmonicas are preferred, including: Marine Band 1896, Marine Band Deluxe, Marine Band Crossover, Marine Band Thunderbird. Also in demand are the Hohner Progressive line of harmonicas, including, Special 20, Rocket, and Golden Melody. The common denominator of these eight models are the reeds. For us Harp Techs, we particularly appreciate the way the reeds can easily (relative term) be calibrated for high performance playing.
Circling back to your original query, whether or not, the Hohner Blues Harp is a good candidate for upgrade/customizing--I say it depends. When you are on the bandstand:
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Do you prefer playing larger harmonicas?
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Is your motivation for customizing: aesthetic, or performance?
Conclusion | If owning a set of high performance harmonicas is your primary objective, my recomendation would be to start with the Hohner Marine Band Deluxe (sealed wooden comb) or Crossover (sealed bamboo). With exception to combs, and a little bit of tuning, these two harmonicas are identical. With proper reed slot sizing (embossing) and profiling (calibrating zero point and gapping), you will be up and playing in no time.
If you are a first level player*, and therefore, not quite ready to appreciate the distinctions found with customized harmonicas--but you dig working with your hands (and you have a Blues Harp), go for it.
*First level players can not play--pitch perfect on any harmonica--the 1965 Batman theme song on the 2 draw:
2 2 2’ 2’ 2” 2” 2’ 2’ 2 2
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Perfect. Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. I, too, have switched to the Crossover harmonica. It's playability is superior to others that I have played; but, I think I will go ahead a see what I can do with the 2 or 3 Blues Harps that I have left over from days gone by. After I complete the customizing, I will do some comparison tests and let you know what I come up with. Again, thank you for your thorough and thoughtful response to my questions. It helps to have a top expert on tap. Happy St. Patrick's day.
Roland
Go Roland!
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Q: What's the cheapest harmonica worth customizing? If I were an expert harpsmith, on the level of a Kinya Pollard or a Jon Harl, could I take one of the cheapie harmonicas and make it play as good as a fully customized SP20 or Thunderbird?
A: No
When I write "cheap harp", I mean one of the many harmonicas that you can buy for under $10, or any of the harmonicas that might come with an instructional book as a bonus. Like a Hohner Blues Band.
Q: What is it-- the reed material, the comb material-- that sets the upper level harps apart from the enthusiast models?
A: The reeds are the heart and soul of the harmonica. For example, Hohner offers a line of colorful children harmonicas. The reeds and reed plates are made from aluminum (non ferous metal), and are pretty terrible for competent harmonica players and Harp Techs to work with. The comb, on the other hand, are made of colorful acrylic and perfectly match the dimensions of their Hohner Special 20 combs. I have built numerous "color" coded Special 20 harmonicas, by installing original Special 20 reed plates onto the "cheap harp" combs. They play extremely well ;o)
Your Harpsmith, Kinya